Lenny & Anderson take SUP world titles

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 14 October, 2013 : - - Kai Lenny (Naish) from Maui went into the Final day of competition behind: a disappointing 4th place finish in the long distance created even more of a challenge for him to defend his World Title, as Connor Baxter (Starboard), had the points advantage from the events leading into the Finals, as well as a 3rd place in the long distance race on Day 1.

However, with rising surf and dead winds, it was all to play for, as the day would provide some of the most spectacular and high octane racing action ever witnessed. Both Kai and Connor made it through to the Finals, with Kai needing to win and Connor to take 6th or worse in the Final heat of the day in order for Kai to take the title: given Connor Baxter's incredible form all year, this seemed like a daunting task to say the least.

However, the two lap course provided the ultimate equalizer, as the biggest set of the day came through on the final leg, as the heat leader Kai Lenny dropped into a solid 6ft, more or less unmakeable wave....only to go down right under the lip.....

Meanwhile, Connor Baxter stumbled on the first leg and was lying in 7th place, as this set came through, as it tore through the race course and took out the first 5 athletes. After taking sets on the head and scrambling to find his paddle and get back up, Kai Lenny maintained his composure and then embarked on a dramatic race to the finish line aloingside young French phenom, Arthur Arutkin (Fanatic).

It was to be Kai's day, as the young Champion managed to secure the win in the sprints, second overall for the event and the overall World Title for 2013 - an incredible performance from this young Champion from Maui who just turned 21 this week.

Connor Baxter finishes an incredible year in 2nd place

There is no doubt that throughout the year in 2013, Connor Baxter (Starboard) was the man to beat: with a record string of victories across events in everywhere from South America and Europe, to right here in the US, Connor demonstrated his exceptional skill and competitive prowess at every leg of the Stand Up World Series this year.

Coming into the final event and after an exhausting season of racing, Connor put every last shred of energy into this final event, but a few stumbles early on in the Final were enough to seal his fate for 2013, having to settle for runner up in the overall rankings for the year.

It was nonetheless an impressive year for the young Champion from Maui and there is no doubt that the Connor Baxter / Kai Lenny match up is one of legends, and the story has only just begun. We look forward to seeing Connor Baxter back and hungrier than ever in 2014, as we lead up to the next level of global performance Stand Up Paddling.

Jake Jensen shocks the world with another stunning win

Jake Jensen (Fanatic) from Australia is one of the top field of paddlers on the global racing scene at the moment, but over the past month, he has shown that he is a real contender for a World Title, whether it be flat water, open ocean and even racing through the surf.

As the only one to win any sincle race when Kai Lenny (Naish) and Connor Baxter (Starboard) were present in 2013, Jake had already shown what he is capable of. However, his performance when it counted at the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay was second to none, as he dominated the long distance race, securing the win on the first day of competition and then went onto finish 3rd place in the World Series Sprints, giving him the overall win for the event and boosting him into 3rd place overall for the 2013 Season - an incredible performance from this formidable talent from down under.Paul Jackson: a performance to remember at Turtle Bay

Paul 'Jacko' Jackson (Fanatic) from Australia put on a performance to remember here at the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay, presented by Amp Energy. After a strong finish in the Long distance that saw him in 5th place, he went onto secure an impressive 4th place in the World Series Sprints, placing him in a well deserved 3rd place overall for the event.

As one of the hardest working athletes out there, Jacko is solid and put it all together this past weekend to secure a phenomenal result amidst the world's best that boosts him into 8th place overall for the year. It is clear that the Aussie momentum across both the Racing and Surfing World Series and Tour is undeniable, as the talent from down under, rises to the top.

Casper Steinfath from Denmark finishes strong in 2013

The Viking, Casper Steinfath from Denmark once again demonstrates he is amongst the world's very best paddlers, consistently finishing in the top 3 or 4 throughout the year, and then in 5th place here in the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay. This propelled him into 4th place overall for the year, a strong finish from our Scandinavian representative.

There is no doubt that this young talent only goes from strength to strength, and is one of the impressive all rounders that is exceptionally competitive in racing and surfing. We look forward to watching Casper take on the world again in 2014. Zane Schweitzer caps an impressive year on World Series

Zane Schweitzer (Starboard) has been more known for his insane talent in surfing in the past, as one of the most innovative and explosive riders on the World Tour. However, over the past 2 years on the Stand Up World Series, Zane has shown himself to be a major threat, and despite not finishing as strongly as he would have liked in the final event of the year, he still finishes in 5th place overall for 2013.

An incredible achievement from another ambassador from the incredible pool of Maui talent and clearly, Zane is a double threat as we look ahead to 2014 for both World Tour and Series and is a leading light as we come to the tail end of the 2013 season on the Stand Up World Tour.

Na Kama Kai achievement award goes to Arthur Arutkin

Each year the Stand Up World Series and Na Kama Kai (www.nakamakai.org) recognizes exceptional performances from young up and coming athletes on both the Stand up World Tour and Series. In 2012, it was Mo Freitas (Focus SUP/Body Glove) who took the honors, while in 2013, one young athlete of just 16 years old shone throughout the event, in particular in the World Series Sprints, making it all the way to the Final and battling with the World Champion Kai Lenny to the bitter end to finish in an incredible 2nd place.

Arthur Arutkin (Fanatic) is his name and he is certainly a major talent to watch out for looking ahead to 2014, as he makes his way around the world to compete on both the Stand Up World Series and Surfing Tour. Given the challenging and intense conditions, this was even more impressive, as Arthur handled the full size surf and established himself as a front runner.

Annabel Anderson takes the overall World Title for 2013

Annabel Anderson (Starboard) from New Zealand has had an incredible year this year, dominating every single event she has entered and stringing together an impressive list of bullet wins on the 2013 Stand Up World Series.

Coming into the Final event of the year, Annabel had done enough to secure the overall World Title and due to injury, was unable to compete on the day in the World Series Finals. Although disappointed not to be able to compete, Annabel was happy to watch the impressive field of women talent take to the incredible conditions at the Turtle Bay and celebrated with the entire fleet at the World Series banquet at Kuilima Point.

A big congratulations goes out to Annabel Anderson for another stunning year on the Stand UP World Series and for defending her World Championship Title successfully.

Kauai's Mariko Strickland reigns supreme at Turtle Bay

Mariko Strickland (Naish) from Kauai put on an outstanding performance this weekend at Turtle Bay, winning the long distance race from Turtle Bay to Haleiwa on Saturday and then finishing in second in the dramatic World Series Sprint Racing.

The light winds and surf driven conditions suited this ever impressive talent from Kauai perfectly, as she navigated both days of racing flawlessly and narrowly missed out on a win in the Sprint Racing too, with a tie breaker between her and Olivia Piana (Fanatic) from France. There is no doubt that Mariko is a real talent to watch out for in 2014 on the Stand up World Series, but also the Surfing World Tour Olivia Piana secures well deserved win in the sprint racing

Olivia Piana (Fanatic) from France had a great weekend of racing at the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay, presented by Amp Energy, finishing in 3rd place in the long distance race on Saturday and then taking the win in the dramatic conditions at play for the World Series Sprints. This combination of results put her in an impressive 2nd place overall for the event

Olivia has been one of the most consistent women on the World Series in 2013, and as a result, finishes in 3rd place overall for the season, adapting her racing to both flat water city locations, but also the powerful Hawaiian Surf here on Oahu's fabled North Shore. We look forward to seeing much more of Olivia on the Stand Up World Series in 2014.

Angela Jackson finishes on a high in 2nd place overall

Angela Jackson (Fanatic) finishes on a high in 2013, with a 3rd place overall for the event, with a second in the long distance and 4th in the sprints, to cap a string of impressive results across the global events on the Stand up World Series that propels her to 2nd overall for 2013.

Her composure, talent and will provided the results she needed in 2013, and clearly showcased that she is a major threat in the global competitive scene and someone to watch out for once again in the 2013 Season.Wrap for the World Series: next up, World Tour in France

So a big thank you goes out to all our sponsors of this epic World Series Finals at Turtle Bay, presented by Turtle Bay: our host, Turtle Bay Resort, Amp Energy, Pacifico Beer, Oakley and of course our official camera of the World Series, GoPro.

Next up, the La Torche Pro France, presented by Naish and XXIX, as the world's best stand up paddlesurfers will congregate once again to do battle on France's NW shore. Stay tuned for build up for this event, announcement of the Location X Finals, but also more recaps, galleries, year look backs and much more from the World